Cards of Eternity: The Wheel of Time

Cards of Eternity: The Wheel of Time is a revamped version of Aether Games' original Aether TCG. This update integrates the iconic Wheel of Time IP from Robert Jordan's novel series into a digital Trading Card Game (TCG). With a mix of unique in-game mechanics and web3 integration, the game presents itself as an intriguing contender in the TCG space. Now available in early access on Steam, let’s take a closer look at the game from a gamer’s perspective and see how it stacks up.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

Right off the bat, the best way to review a TCG is to dive into the gameplay mechanics and see if it brings something fresh to the genre. Observing the current card collection (keeping in mind that the game is still in early access with a limited card pool), it’s clear that Cards of Eternity borrows heavily from established mechanics seen in games like Hearthstone and Legends of Runeterra.

Players begin each match with their deck and an Adventurer, a mechanic similar to Hearthstone's Heroes. Adventurers have unique abilities that can affect the game (e.g., Perrin Aybara heals 1 HP at the start of each turn). Players can also equip their Adventurers with weapons via "Relic" cards, enabling them to attack other units.

Each Adventurer starts with 30 Health, and the goal is to reduce the opponent's HP to zero. The match begins with a coin toss to determine who goes first. The first player starts with three cards, while the second starts with four cards. Afterward, players can mulligan, choosing which starting cards to keep or reshuffle into their deck.

The game’s resource system, known as Aether, acts as its "mana." Each player starts with 1 Aether and gains an additional one each turn until reaching a maximum cap of 10 Aether crystals. However, starting from turn 5, players only gain Aether every two turns. Unused Aether does not carry over to the next turn, forcing players to spend their resources wisely each round.

Unique TCG Mechanics: Companions and Sacrifice Crystals

While the core gameplay feels familiar, Cards of Eternity: The Wheel of Time introduces some unique mechanics that set it apart.

One unique feature is the "Companion" system. Companions are cosmetic additions that also provide powerful gameplay effects. These effects are typically one-time use and often require reaching a specific turn condition before activation. Current Companion effects include drawing cards, healing the Adventurer, buffing units, or destroying specific enemy cards.

Another intriguing mechanic is the "Sacrifice Crystal" system. Players can burn/discard/sacrifice cards to gain extra Aether (mana). The amount of Aether gained depends on the Aether value of the sacrificed card, but it can only replenish up to the maximum Aether limit for that turn. This mechanic can be used 2 or 3 times per game, depending on whether the player went first or second.

This mechanic feels fresh and innovative, sparking ideas for all-in deck combos during the late game. However, its inclusion means the developers will need to carefully balance future expansion cards to ensure the Sacrifice system doesn’t become overly exploitable or game-breaking.

Card Variety and Strategy

With over 200 cards currently available, Cards of Eternity already offers a solid foundation for deck-building and strategic combos. The cards are categorized into three main types: Beings, Spells, and Relics. Beings function as the game's units, representing creatures, characters, or entities used for attacking, defending, or triggering abilities. Each Being has two key stats: Attack Power, which determines how much damage it deals, and Health (HP), which indicates how much damage it can take before being removed from the board.

Spells, on the other hand, are one-time-use cards that create various effects, ranging from simple actions like drawing cards or healing, to powerful abilities such as summoning high-impact units or clearing the battlefield. Relics are typically weapons that Adventurers can equip, allowing them to attack themselves. Some Relics also have conditional effects that trigger when specific criteria are met (quite similar to Legends of Runeterra Landmarks). All cards are tied to one of three elements: Neutral, Light, or Shadow, and they are further divided into rarities, ranging from Basic to Legendary.

The game also introduces familiar keywords that seasoned TCG players will recognize, such as Debut, which triggers effects when a card is played, Requiem, which activates effects upon a unit's death, and Twilight Cloak, a mechanic similar to stealth units in Legends of Runeterra. While experienced players will quickly adapt to these familiar systems, beginners might face a steeper learning curve due to the game's diverse mix of mechanics drawn from various TCGs.

Game Modes

Since the game is still in early access, the available game modes are limited. Currently, players can access Casual mode and MMR-based Ranked mode.

The Tutorial mode does an excellent job of introducing new players to the game’s core mechanics. However, given the Wheel of Time IP, adding a PvE storyline mode based on the Wheel of Time universe could significantly enhance the game's appeal.

Game Balance

Like most TCGs, Cards of Eternity: Wheel of Time features the classic deck archetypes: Aggro, Control, and Midrange. The current card pool offers enough variety to create a fairly balanced meta, especially when it comes to low-to-medium rarity cards. However, Legendary and high-rarity cards often introduce power creep, leading to noticeable imbalances in gameplay. Adventurers and Companions also play a significant role in deck performance, with some combinations feeling significantly stronger than others. This creates situations where certain strategies dominate simply due to card rarity or specific synergies.

Much like Hearthstone's card pack system, building a competitive deck in Cards of Eternity often requires financial investment, making the game feel pay-to-win at higher levels of play. For players aiming to stay competitive, this reliance on premium cards can create a barrier, especially for those unwilling or unable to spend money on card packs.

Game Currency and Web3 Integration

The game features two types of in-game currencies:

Crowns: The game's soft currency, earned by logging in, completing quests, and performing in-game tasks (e.g., playing specific cards or activating abilities). Crowns can be used to purchase card chests, emotes, and other items.

Aes Sedai Gems: The premium currency, used for purchasing exclusive store items, including visual effects, skins, and premium chests. Items purchasable with Crowns can often also be bought with Aes Sedai Gems, but at different rates.

Since the game's revamp, the web3 aspect of Cards of Eternity Wheel of Time is still in its early stages, and details about ownership and blockchain mechanics are yet to be fully revealed.

Review

Cards of Eternity: Wheel of Time brings a lot to the table for both TCG fans and lovers of the Wheel of Time universe. It mixes familiar mechanics from games like Hearthstone and Legends of Runeterra with its own unique twists, such as Companions and Sacrifice Crystals, adding new unique TCG elements and strategies. The art and music do a good job of setting the tone and pulling players into the world, and even with a limited early access card pool, there’s already enough variety for some creative deck-building. That said, it’s still rough around the edges, animations feel clunky, CPU usage is heavy, and while the UI/UX design works well for seasoned TCG players, it could be a bit much for newcomers to grasp right away. Additionally, the pay-to-win nature of the card acquisition system, similar to Hearthstone's card pack model, makes it difficult for free-to-play players to remain competitive without significant financial investment.

Despite its rough edges, Cards of Eternity has a strong foundation to build on. With the Wheel of Time IP offering great appeal, the game has the potential to draw in a dedicated audience. With improved polish, better optimization, and a more streamlined onboarding experience, it could carve its place in the competitive world of digital TCGs.